River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1887-07-14

harmonious, peaceful and cordial, that
they cannot be ignored. | beg you To
understand that am not conscious of any
act Of mine which should make me fear To
meet the 6rand Army of the Republic or
any other as amblage of nv fellow citizens
The account of my official Stewardship is al
ways ready Tor pres ntatiOn to nay country
men, ! should not be frank II | failed To
confess while disc tanning all resentment
that have been hurt bY these unworthy
and wanton attacks upon me, growing out
of this matter, and the reckless II Amer in
which my actions and motives have been
mlsrepresented, both publicly ana privately
fof when however, the Grand Army of
the Republic as body is not responsible.
/ Threats 81 personal violence and harm in
case | undertake the trim in question which
scores of misguided, unbalanced mel, under
stimulation of excited feeling. have made
are not even considered. Rather than aban-
don my visit 10 the West and disaDpoint
your citizens, | might, II alone were con
cerned, submit TO insult TO which, il is quite
openly asserted, | would be helplt ssly
subjected II present at the encampment
/ but should bear with me there the peoples
/ highest office, the dignity of which must
protect, and | believe that neither the Grand
1 Army Of the Republ c, as an organization,
nor any thing IKE majority of members,
would ever encourage any scandalOus at
I tack upon it. II, however, among the mem
/ bership of this body there are some, as GER
/ talnly seems TO tie the case, determined to
/ denounce me and my official acts at the
national encampment, believe they
| should be permitted 10 do 50 unrestrained
by my presence as the guest of their organi
| zation, or as the guest of the hospitabe
{ city in which their meeting Is held. A mum
her of the Grand Army posts have sgnified
I their intention, ! am informed to remain
/ away from the encHmpment in case ] visit
1 toe city at that time. Without considering
the merit of such an excuse, | feel that |
ought not y be cause of such non-at
tendance. The time and place of the en-
campment we're fixed long before my in
| vitatiOns were received. Those desiring TO
participate IN its proceedings should be first
regarded, and no being should be permitted
To interior with their intentions Another
| consideration, of more importance than all
Others, remains to be noticed. The fact
| was referred 20 by you when You verbally
presented the invitation of the citizens of
st. Louis, that the coming euCampment of
the Grand Army of the Republic would be
first held IN "A Southern state. | suppose the
fact was mentioned as "A pleasing Indication
| of the fraternal feel ng So fast gaining
| ground throughout the entire land, and
hailed by every patriotic citizen an
earnest tnat the Union has really, aud in
fact, been saved in the sentiment and spirit
with all the benefits it vouchsafss to a
united people.
cannot rid myself of the belief that the
least dis ord on this propitiOus occasion
might retard thc progress of the sentiment
III tOullhoh bEOlbeltiobu, WHICH lnG bfdnu
/ Army of the Republic has so good an oppor-
tunity 70 increase and foster. / certainly
/ ought not to Ice the cause of such discord, la
any event or upon any preteXt. II seems to
me that you and the citizens of st. Louis
are entitled 10 this unreserved statement of
/ conditions which have constrained me to
( iorego my contemplated visit, and To with
/ draw my acceptance of your invitation.
My presence in your city at the time you
have indicated can be Of but little moment
tart4 Of
dial and harmonious entertainment of your
/ other guests. | assure you that ! abandon
my plan without the least personal feeling
except regret, constrained thereto by a sense
of duty, aCtuated by a desire 10 save any
embarrassment 20 the people of ST. Louis or
their expected guests, and with heartfelt
and grateful appreciation of the sinscere and
unaffected kindness of your citizens. Hoping
the eucampmcnt may be an occasion of
much usefulness, and that its proceedings
| may illustrate the highest patriotism OF
American citizenship, | am yours, very
| sincerely,